Chelsea came under attack last night from Gilberto Madaíl, the president of the Portuguese football federation, who accused the club of behaving incorrectly in their recruitment of Luiz Felipe Scolari. The president is seeking to blame Chelsea for Portugal's European Championship quarter-final defeat by Germany on Thursday and his anger reflects the views of many of his compatriots.

Madaíl is adamant that Chelsea announced the recruitment of Scolari as manager ten days ago without the knowledge of the federation or the Brazilian. Similar claims were circulating after the announcement, which was made after Portugal's 3-1 group A win over the Czech Republic but before the end of Turkey's 2-1 victory over Switzerland that ensured Portugal's qualification for the quarter-finals. The claims were vigorously denied by Chelsea last night.

“The moment Chelsea took to announce the contract with Mr Scolari was not for us very correct,” Madaíl said. “Maybe they could have informed us first. I know Scolari had nothing to do with it and I was surprised not by the appointment, because Scolari is a great coach, but at the timing chosen. I wish Chelsea would have consulted us before so that we could have chosen a better time.”

Chelsea responded with a forceful statement defending their conduct. “We did everything above board and correctly,” the club said. “It was the appropriate time for both parties to announce and had been agreed in advance. The Portugal football federation were informed.”

Scolari is close to Madaíl, who was in tears at the team hotel in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, on the night the coach's departure was announced and his outburst may reflect the new Chelsea manager's feelings. The announcement appeared to surprise Scolari, who on the eve of the tournament said that he would not make a decision about his future until after Portugal had been eliminated.

Madaíl also backed up Scolari's claim that he is joining Chelsea primarily for the money. The 58-year-old will earn £5.5million a year at Stamford Bridge, almost three times his salary with Portugal. “I knew when we entered the tournament that Scolari would leave,” Madaíl said. “His cycle with Portugal had ended because he wanted a new experience with a club. It was a financial issue and we couldn't match Chelsea's offer.”

His attitude to the speculation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be different, with Madaíl claiming that the uncertainty over the Manchester United winger's future did not detract from his performances.

“I don't know what is going on in Ronaldo's mind and I don't think that contract problems would affect a player,” Madaíl said. “It's normal for players to have to deal with these issues. I don't think it interferes and I didn't see any problem with Ronaldo.”